Types of Interviews you might expect

With the advancement of new technology and with communications changing all the time – What can you expect from interviews and the different methods in 2019.
Each method, style and technique has advantages and disadvantages but knowing what to prepare for and the pros and cons of each might help you through the process.

The Telephone Interview.

Telephone interviews are a common method of quickly ascertaining if you have the basic requirements for the role.  They do not necessitate you or the interviewer having to spend time travelling to the interview and can quickly qualify or disqualify potential candidates.
Phone interviews can help showcase your verbal communication skills something that a CV cannot do and gives the candidate an opportunity to showcase their individual personality.

Tips: Always make sure that you are in a quiet place with no interruptions before engaging in a phone interview – it is better to arrange another time if you are in a noisy or interrupted location. Remember to smile on the phone at appropriate times – a smile will change the tone and warmth in your voice.

The Video Interview.

Video interviews (Skype, Google Hangouts, FaceTime) are better than phone interviews as they allow your body language to be interpreted and gives the interviewer a better overall impression of who you are
The fact that you can actually see each other adds a layer of professionalism and removes the temptation for either party to lose focus.

Tips. Always test your technology before the interview commences, ensure there is no distracting background. Even though it may feel artificial try to behave as naturally as possible. Even if you are on a day off and at home present yourself as you would in a face to face interview. To successfully conduct a video interview, you’ll both need to set up an account with a service provider like Skype, Google or Apple, have a strong connection and be positioned in a quiet location.

Interviews with a Panel

Panel interviews are in person and with two or more interviewers conducting the interview

The main advantage of panel interviewing is that it allows for more than one interviewer to assess you suitability to the role.

Each interviewer will pick up on different characteristics, strengths and weaknesses and together make a balanced decision

The panel interview is usually conducted as the sole or final step in the interviewing process to take place instead of an individual interview and following any telephone and/or group interviews.

Tip. Try to address everyone equally, just because one interviewer seems more friendly than others resist the temptation to focus on the solely this interviewer

The Assessment Day

Assessment “days” can be used to assess larger groups of interviewees at the same time, for a range of different skills.

Common amongst entry level and graduate recruitmt, they are a great way for employers to evaluate candidates in more detail, for a longer period of time.

Most assessments take place across one day (although some companies have been known to host longer ones.

They’re commonly used as the very first recruitment step, to suss out the superstar candidates in a big crowd, or as the only step, with an individual interview scheduled at some point, meaning the entire process is completed in just one day.

Tip. Be prepared that you are in an open competition – don’t fade into the back ground and allow more dominant personalities to stand out. Similarly don’t stand out for the wrong reasons and be loud or abrasive with no substance to what you are saying

Group Interviews

Group interviews are used a lot less regularly than the other interview techniques we’ve mentioned, but they still have their place in modern recruitment. In group interviews you are interviewed at the same time as other contenders for the position. It can be a way of testing your mechanisms for stress or competition.

Tip. Even though you are competing show team work traits such as agreeing with others and building rapport in the group

Individual (face-to-face) Interviews

Individual, face-to-face interviews are by far the most popular and efficient form of assessment. They allow you focussed one on one time with the interviewer and a chance to have a deeper exploratory conversation around your career. They may focus on your technical, personality, team playing or problem solving attributes ( or all of the above ).

Here’s a tip: Always prepare very well for a one on one interview. With so much information available to hand online employers will expect that you have looked into their business and industry knowledge. Its still important that you look like you have made an effort for a face to face, that you are on time and have given the employer plenty of thought around their opportunity.

Good luck with the interviews!

Career Advice